Pack your bags, leave the guys, kids, and worries at home and head to Holden Beach with the girls! There’s nothing quite like a little time with your girlfriends to help you unwind, reset and relax. Girls trips are all about reconnecting with yourself and your friends, taking some time out to laugh and just have fun. Rather you spend a long weekend with the girls or you have time enough to sneak in a whole week away (Lucky you!), here’s your guide for the ultimate ladies trip to Holden Beach!

Day 1

When you rent a home from PROACTIVE Vacations you and the girls can go straight to your rental – no standing in line to check in and get keys, so your vacation starts as soon as you arrive! Rather you’ve chosen an ocean front rental so you can step off the back deck and onto the sand, or if you’ve chosen a quiet home in the dunes with a pool, you can be sure that your vacation rental will be the perfect launching pad for the fun to come!

While your home will be fully equipped to cook some fantastic meals, grab a pizza from Patronies Pizza or burgers from Surfer’s Cafe. After all, who wants to cook after traveling all day?

After you get settled in to your rental and have dinner take care of, head out to the beach and enjoy the sunset while catching up with the girls.

Day 2

You’re at the beach, so why not enjoy the beach? Today is all about spending time together, enjoying the warm sand, the salt air breezes and ocean waves. If you’ve signed up for a cabana rental through PROACTIVE, your beach cabana will be set up and ready to go so you can just enjoy the beach! Just remember the sunscreen and to stay hydrated! Treat yourselves to an Italian ice from Sunset Slush to help cool down! End the day with some fresh seafood from one of the many great seafood markets in the area.

Day 3

How about a shopping day? There are plenty of great boutiques in the area with clothing, jewelry and home goods. Spend the day with the girls hunting for treasures. If you’re up for a little road trip, you can head about an hour south to Myrtle Beach and hit up Tanger Outlets for some great deals on clothing, shoes, jewelry, and more.

Day 4

Today is all about art! Check out local folk artist Mary Paulsen’s unique Mary’s Gone Wild. You can spend hours exploring the buildings and galleries here. Then go create some of your own art at Vincent Van-Go Pottery Painting. From coffee mugs, bowls, and plates to seasonal décor items, you can paint your own piece of art and have it kiln fired as a souvenir of the great week with the girls.

Day 5

Let’s get out and explore the island of Holden Beach! Rent a bicycle from Beach Fun Rentals and take the self-guided “Olden Holden” bike tour. If being on the water is more your thing, check out kayak tour or pontoon tour options from Tour H2O. (The 3 hour sunset pontoon tour is a great way to end the day!)

Day 6

Sadly, it’s the last full day of girls week, so spend today relaxing on the beach, swapping stories, and laughs with the girls. Grab lunch at Provision Company (You’ve got to try the shrimp burger and a Rum Dum!) and spend the afternoon relaxing on the sand. For dinner, head over to the causeway and grab some Mexican food and margaritas at Mini Jalapeno and then grab some ice cream at Fantasy Isle Ice Cream & Mini Golf. 

Day 7

It’s time to pack up and head home but before you go, stop and grab one last breakfast with the girls at The Scoop. While you’re there, start planning your next girls getaway to Holden Beach!

Holden Beach summer concerts are back and The Town of Holden Beach has scheduled an exciting lineup of live music every Sunday evening from May 29th through September 4th.

Join The Town on Sunday evenings from 6:30PM until 8:00PM for live entertainment each week at the Pavilion under the Holden Beach Bridge.

2022 Holden Beach Summer Concert Series Schedule

May 29th: Carolina Kool

June 5th: The Main Event Band

June 12th: The Embers

June 19th: Continental Divide

June 26th: The Tams

July 3rd: The Extraordinaires

July 10th: The Entertainers

July 17th: Chairman of the Board

July 24th: Band of Oz

July 31st: Carolina Breakers

August 7th: Blackwater Band

August 14th: North Tower Band

August 21st: Gary Lowder & Smokin Hot

August 28th: Too Much Sylvia

September 4th: Cat 5

There’s nothing better than spending a day at Holden Beach soaking up the sun, splashing in the waves and building that amazing sand castle. What you may not realize is all that sun, sand and salt is a perfect recipe for quickly becoming dehydrated. Here are some tips for staying hydrated at the beach so you can keep collecting those shells, working on your tan and surfing the waves.

Avoid being in direct sunlight for extended periods of time.

Being in direct sunlight increases sweating as your body tries to cool itself. Sweating is water loss and can speed up dehydration. Be sure to bring a beach umbrella or canopy along for some shade.

Avoid alcohol and caffeine.

Alcohol and caffeine can both cause you to become dehydrated more quickly by pulling water from the body.  If you must drink alcohol or caffeine, make sure to alternate with plain water and increase your water intake overall to help avoid dehydration.

Drink plenty of water. 

The key is to drink water throughout the day. Start before you even get to the beach so that you’ve got a jump start on your hydration. Don’t wait until you feel thirsty to drink – thirst is a sign you’re already mildly dehydrated.

Get hydration from other sources.

Try snacking on fruits and vegetables with high water content. Watermelon, oranges, cucumbers, tomatoes and celery are all good choices. You can also try unsweetened, natural coconut water to help replace electrolytes. 100% juices are a good choice as well – just avoid juices or sports drinks that contain sodium or added sweeteners.

Know the signs of dehydration.

It’s important to know the signs of dehydration to help prevent a medical emergency. Mild dehydration symptoms include increased thirst, dry mouth, headache, muscle cramps and fatigue. If you start to notice these symptoms, increase your water intake and move to a cool area out of the sun to help prevent the dehydration from become worse.  Symptoms of more severe dehydration include rapid heartbeat, rapid breathing, dizziness, confusion and/or loss of consciousness. If you notice the signs of severe dehydration, it’s important to call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room as soon as possible.

No one wants their vacation ruined by illness, and by following these few tips, you can help ensure you stay hydrated at Holden Beach and enjoy your all your time while here!

For some of us, our daily workout is the last thing we think of when we’re on vacation, but in Holden Beach there are plenty of opportunities to keep up your fitness routine while enjoying the beach. From outdoor bike trails, to Yoga and area gyms, there is something for everyone to enjoy a workout while you’re vacationing.

Outdoor Options

The Town of Holden Beach offers two instructor led fitness programs. On Monday, Wednesday and Friday you can attend a Yoga class at 10 am. On Tuesday and Thursdays, the town offers 1-hour non-impact Tai Chi program. The program can be adapted for sitting or partially supported so everyone can participate. Both programs are held at the pavilion.

If you’d prefer to work out at your own pace, Holden Beach also offers a fitness path beginning around the 500 block of Ocean Blvd West. Enjoy the ocean breezes along the sidewalk and stop at several fitness stations along the way to get in a full body workout.

For those biking enthusiasts, check out the Olden Holden Bike Tour. There are 3 routes totaling 20 miles that take you on a full tour of the island. You can download a map to learn more about Holden Beach’s history.

Bridgeview Park offers a multi-purpose court for a pick-up basketball game. The court is reserved on Mondays and Wednesday from 7pm to 10pm for Pickleball. There is no fee and play is open to everyone.

And of course, don’t forget about the beach itself! A walk on the beach, and especially in the surf, provides a great low impact workout.

Indoor Options – Holden Beach Gyms

Maybe you’re one of those people that has to hit the gym 3 days a week no matter what. Or perhaps it’s raining and you want to get in a workout. There are plenty of indoor options in the area for a workout as well.

Dosher Fitness is a 24-hour Holden Beach gym that offers cardiovascular equipment, circuit equipment and martial arts training. Located on Holden Beach Road, this is the closest gym to the Holden Beach island. A little further out, Shallotte offers Planet Fitness, TruFit, and Yardtime.

While we are all for sitting back and just enjoying the beach during vacation, you can see that the Holden Beach area offers plenty of fitness options and PROACTIVE Vacations can help start your fitness on vacation when you arrive with a vacation rental with a pool for swimming laps, a home on a canal for launching a kayak or paddle board or an oceanfront rental that will put you directly on the beach. We look forward to hosting you soon!

Holden Golden Mailboxes

They have no address and you can’t mail a letter from them. But Holden Beach has three mailboxes filled with poetry, memories, funny stories and letters to lost loved ones. These Holden Golden mailboxes are similar to the “Kindred Spirit” mailbox in Sunset Beach and are filled with notebooks and pens where you read the entries left by others and leave your own mark as well.

Half of the fun and making of memories is the trip to these mailboxes. Take an afternoon walk along the beaches to the east end or west end of the island, or pack a lunch and visit the mailbox at Sailfish Park.

East End Mailbox

The Holden Golden Mailbox on the east end of Holden Beach is located on the far east end of the island, facing Oak Island. To reach it, drive to the far east end of the island, where the pavement turns to gravel. From the parking area there, it’s roughly a half mile walk around the east end to reach the mailbox.

Keep walking until you round the corner towards the Intracoastal Waterway and you’ll see the box on the left in the dunes. There are pilings in the inlet that are especially visible at low tide – when you see those pilings, look to the left to find the mailbox.

West End Mailbox

The most difficult to reach of the Holden Golden Mailboxes is located on the West End of the island. The closest access to the mailbox is located behind the gated neighborhood on the West End. The closest public beach access is just before the gated area at 917 Ocean Boulevard. From that access, it’s approximately two miles to the mailbox.

Walk all the way around the bend where you’ll see Ocean Isle Beach across the Shallotte Inlet. Keep following the shore past the last house on the western point and you’ll see the black mailbox on the edge of the dunes.

Sailfish Park Mailbox

The third Holden Golden  mailbox is conveniently located on Sailfish Drive and the easiest to access for everyone, without the walk required to reach the other two. It is located at Sailfish Park located along the Intracoastal Waterway. Public parking, access to the Intracoastal Waterway, and picnic tables are available at the park.

Sailfish Park is located at 188 Sailfish Street. Turning right off the bridge, Sailfish Street is approximately 4 miles down Ocean Boulevard on the right. Follow Sailfish Street to the end and the mailbox will be on the left.

If you’d like to make it even easier to reach any of the mailboxes, be sure to check out our vacation rentals here on the island! We hope you’ll visit Holden Beach and the Holden Golden mailboxes soon – we’d love to see you!

Holden Beach has time and time again been rated as one the best family beaches with good reason. Holden Beach has something for everyone! Whether your family has small children, teenagers, children of the 4-legged variety or multiple generations, here are 5 reasons why Holden Beach should be your next family vacation destination.

1. Atmosphere

As you cross over the bridge onto the island, it’s almost as if you are entering another world. With no stop lights on the island and very little commercial development, Holden Beach is a quiet, safe beach. With breathtaking views and sounds of ocean waves, you can feel the stress melt away as you unwind and relax.

2. The Beach

With 8 miles of coastline and limited commercial development on the beach front, our beach gives you plenty of room to spread out. Building sand castles and hunting for sea shells, shark teeth and sand dollars is a perfect relaxing way to spend the day.

If you want a little more adventure, try boogie boarding or taking a surf lesson. Fishing is a popular activity as well. Try surf fishing from the beach or hire a charter to take you out a little farther.

From mid-May through October, be on the look out for sea turtles – and if you’re lucky you might be able to watch a hatching!

3. Family-Friendly Activities

We have plenty of things to do off the beach as well! From Memorial Day to Labor Day, enjoy the Summer Concert Series on Sundays at the Pavilion. Just across the bridge there is mini golf, ice cream shops, beach shops and boutiques.

You can rent bicycles and take the Olden Holden bike tour or try a jet ski or kayak to explore the Intracoastal Waterway. Try visiting on of the parks on the island, including a splash pad and picnic shelter at Bridgeview Park on Davis Street.

If golf is your thing, you can spend some time at the Holden Beach Driving Range on Holden Beach Road, or play a full 18 holes at Lockwood Folly.

4. Proximity

While Holden Beach has plenty of activities to keep your entire family busy, if you want to venture out a little farther, we are in close proximity to historic Southport, where you can take self-guided tour or catch the ferry to Fort Fisher and the aquarium. Just a short drive away is Shallotte, with shopping, restaurants and a river walk. Ocean Isle Beach offers the Shallotte River Swamp Park as well as a museum and planetarium.

If you want to make a day trip, we’re just about an hour from Wilmington where you can visit The Battleship North Carolina or Arlie Gardens. Or you can head an hour south to Myrtle Beach for shopping and nightlife.

5. Accommodations for Your Holden Beach Vacation

Whether you need an 8 bedroom home for all of the extended family or a home with a pool PROACTIVE Vacations can help you find the perfect vacation rental for your family vacation. We offer homes with elevators as well as pet-friendly rentals so no matter who you’re traveling with, we can make sure your entire family is comfortable. From ocean front homes to rentals with private docks, PROACTIVE Vacations can find you the ideal home in the ideal location. You can search all of our rentals here or give us a call at (910) 842-1550 and we’ll be happy to help you find the perfect Holden Beach vacation rental for your next family trip!

Following the end of November, and Thanksgiving, December brings in the peak holiday season. It’s a beautiful time to spend with friends and family making memories to last a lifetime. If you were to just watch television, anywhere from sitcoms to commercials, it depicts this time of year with cold weather and snow, not to mention also busy shopping days. What if you were to make a new tradition by instead spending your holidays on the beach? Whether you’re celebrating with family or close friends, we’re here to help you create new traditions and unique memories.

Unique Memories and New Traditions

Depending on how you normally spend your holiday season it can be hard to think of changing anything about your yearly routine. However, has the season just become a routine to go through the motions? Maybe you try something new this year to break up the pattern, and that ‘something new’ might just become the best tradition you’ve just started. If you think it will be hard to change plans just think of your current traditions; At one point in your life that tradition was done for the first time.

Generally speaking, people spend the holiday’s in a relatively similar way. That being said, there is nothing wrong with how anyone enjoys their time. But what if the greatest gift of all isn’t physical items to your family but instead a trip that will create memories to last forever? We will gladly supply you with a beautiful home for a Holden Beach holiday. All you have to do is bring the holiday spirit! Come and stay with us for a week or spend several weeks and ring in the new year. The options are endless when you celebrate the holidays on the beach.

Ditch That Winter Coat

Winter is the perfect time to escape south if you live in the northern part of the county. Ice, snow, sleet, and below freezing temperatures all sound like great reasons to get away to the beach! The weather on Holden Beach during the month of December cool and comfortable without needing that heavy winter jacket. Of course, you won’t be swimming on this trip but there are many options to enjoy the beach during the less crowded winter season.

Clear Ocean Views During Holden Beach Holiday

The winter season on Holden Beach offers a unique time of year where the skies are clear and the views are endless. Due to where the island is located, this time of year offers beautiful vantage points for both sunrise and sunset right from the beach. So if you are an early riser or a late sleeper, there are plenty of opportunities to view beautiful skies on your winter trip to the beach.

Fewer Crowds

Other than offering clear weather this time of year, the winter month also offer clear beaches. Most people generally think of the beach as a summer destination. Therefore, the winter months offer fewer crowds and more room on the beach for you and your family. Not only will you create unique holiday traditions but you’ll almost feel like you have the beach to yourself!

Give The Gift of Memories

So are you ready to spend your holidays in paradise? Be sure to view all of our properties or call us direct at 910-842-1550 to find the perfect holiday beach vacation! Interested in keeping up with Holden Beach local information? Follow PROACTIVE Vacations on FACEBOOK and INSTAGRAM or check out our full blog HERE.

October In Brunswick County

The summer season is officially over, crowds are low, and the weather is cooling off. October in Brunswick County is the perfect getaway for a calm and quiet beach vacation. Although many options are available, you’ll find one of the best family beaches on Holden Beach, NC. Located right in the middle of Brunswick County, Holden Beach offers easy access to a plethora of fall beach vacation options. Sand and ocean scenes don’t just need to be for summer. Instead, book your vacation for October in Brunswick County with your local source here at PROACTIVE Vacations.

Where To Go

While Holden Beach can found in a central location, Brunswick County spans a few different towns that have their own events this October. From Sunset Beach to Oak Island, you’ll have plenty to do with the whole family this fall. Continue reading below to see what each town is offering over the next few weeks or follow this LINK for a detailed schedule from the North Carolina’s Brunswick Islands webpage. Interested in general Holden Beach information? Check out the PROACTIVE Vacations blog HERE.

Holden Beach

Holden Beach will be your central vacation destination. Rated one of the top family beaches and rapidly growing, you and your family will have no shortage of activities. If you’re traveling later in the month a highlight includes the North Carolina Festival by the Sea. The Festival by the Sea will be hosted at the Holden Beach Pavilion under the bridge. Featuring local vendors including arts, crafts, food, live entertainment, local businesses, and more. From October 30th through October 31st you and your family will find fun for all ages.

Oak Island

Located just north of Holden Beach, Oak Island is just a short trip away from your vacation home. A local highlight can be found Saturday nights through October 30th with their “Oak Island Live & Local” events. Happening from 4:00-8:00PM in the Middleton Park, guests will enjoy farmers’ markets, food, vendors, and live music. Live music occurs each Saturday from 6:00-8:00PM with rotating local musicians. Don’t forget to bring your friends for this great fall fun event!

Ocean Isle Beach

If you find yourself heading the other direction, you’ll find Ocean Isle Beach just a short trip south from Holden Beach. Found yearly in October, Ocean Isle Beach is home of the North Carolina Oyster Festival. 2021 celebrates the 40th anniversary for this local tradition, celebrating local oysters with a full list of local food, crafts, contests, live entertainment, and more. Located at the Town Center Park on Saturday October 16th – Sunday October 17th, there will be no shortage of activities for the whole family. Looking for something “Halloween” this fall? Then look no further than Ocean Isle Beach’s Grissettown Haunted Trail. This trail is hosted weekly on Fridays and Saturdays from 7:00-10:00PM sponsored by the local fire department. With interactive props and live actors, it is a family friendly attraction but certainly not a “little kid” event.

Sunset Beach

Continue driving south past Ocean Isle Beach and you’ll find Sunset Beach. Close enough for a quick daytrip away from your Holden Beach rental. Sunset Beach hosts a variety of weekly events including their Drum Circle (Mondays until October 25th) and their Summer Market (Thursdays until October 14th). Although the name “Summer Market” implies a certain time of year, you and your family will be happy to enjoy the festivities through mid-October! Happening Thursdays from 9:00AM-1:00PM you’ll find the best in local art, pottery, jewelry, food, crafts, and more. You can find the market at the Sunset Beach Town Park and the drum circle to the left side of the Sunset Beach Pier.

Much, Much More!

In addition to the brief summary above, there is also plenty to do in the areas of Leland, Southport, Bolivia, Shallotte, and more. Due to this, below you’ll find a full schedule and you can follow the link HERE for a full list of details. Looking for more specific Holden Beach information? You can find out more in our BLOG as well as pages dedicated to DINING, SHOPPING, SEAFOOD, and ATTRACTIONS. Don’t forget to follow PROACTIVE Vacations on INSTAGRAM, FACEBOOK, and YOUTUBE!

Full Calendar:

• • October 4: Sunset Beach Drum Circle
  • October 7: Live at the Park (Leland)
  • October 7: Sunset Beach Summer Market
  • October 8: Grissettown Haunted Trail (Ocean Isle Beach)
  • October 8: Southport Movies on the Lawn
  • October 9: Oak Island Live & Local
  • October 9: Grissettown Haunted Trail (Ocean Isle Beach)
  • October 11: Sunset Beach Drum Circle
  • October 14: Sunset Beach Summer Market
  • October 15: Grissettown Haunted Trail (Ocean Isle Beach)
  • October 16: Grissettown Haunted Trail (Ocean Isle Beach)
  • October 16: Listen Up Brunswick County Concerts (Bolivia)
  • October 16: Movies in the Park (Leland)
  • October 16: North Carolina Oyster Festival (Ocean Isle Beach)
  • October 16: Oak Island Live & Local
  • October 17: North Carolina Oyster Festival (Ocean Isle Beach)
  • October 18: Sunset Beach Drum Circle
  • October 20: SBPD Trunk or Treat (Sunset Beach)
  • October 21: SPOOKtacular Night at Mulberry (Shallotte)
  • October 22: Grissettown Haunted Trail (Ocean Isle Beach)
  • October 23: Grissettown Haunted Trail (Ocean Isle Beach)
  • October 23: Fall Brawl King Classic (Ocean Isle Beach)
  • October 23: Oak Island Live & Local
  • October 24: Fall Brawl King Classic (Ocean Isle Beach)
  • October 25: Sunset Beach Drum Circle
  • October 28: Live at the Park (Leland)
  • October 29: Ocean Isle Beach Trunk or Treat
  • October 29: Grissettown Haunted Trail (Ocean Isle Beach)
  • October 30: Grissettown Haunted Trail (Ocean Isle Beach)
  • October 30: NC Festival by the Sea (Holden Beach)
  • October 30: Oak Island Live & Local
  • October 30: Trunk or Treat (Ocean Isle Beach)
  • October 31: NC Festival by the Sea (Holden Beach)